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Embla's Mom Sweater Pattern

Embla's Mom Sweater Pattern
4.4★ Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
2.1K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journey—perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

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Casual Chic

Relaxed style with a modern twist, perfect for everyday wear while maintaining that handcrafted uniqueness.

About This Embla's Mom Sweater Pattern

A top-down knitted sweater with a forest-inspired colorwork yoke, designed to be comfortable and timeless. The back is shaped for a more feminine silhouette while keeping classic wool sweater features. Worked in DK or sport weight yarn across multiple sizes with full charts and finishing instructions.

Embla's Mom Sweater Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Includes Main Chart and Finishing Chart for the yoke and hem. Full needle and yarn suggestions, stitch counts, and shaping options are provided.

Why You'll Love This Embla's Mom Sweater Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because the yoke design is both striking and wearable, giving a timeless Nordic look to a modern sweater. I enjoy the balance of working charted colorwork and simple stockinette, which keeps the knitting engaging without being overwhelming. The optional waist shaping lets me tailor the silhouette for a flattering fit, which makes each sweater feel custom. I also love that the pattern is written for multiple sizes and includes clear instructions for picking up sleeves and finishing, so I feel confident making it again and again.

Embla's Mom Sweater Pattern step 1 - construction progress Embla's Mom Sweater Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Embla's Mom Sweater Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Embla's Mom Sweater Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love customizing this pattern by changing the color palette; try rich autumn tones for a warm seasonal look or soft pastels for a fresh spring sweater.

You can make the sweater larger or smaller by changing yarn weight and needle size; bulky yarn and larger needles create a chunkier version, while fingering weight makes a delicate version.

I often swap Color B and Color C to highlight different parts of the motif—experiment with contrast to make the pattern pop.

Try substituting a speckled or heathered yarn for Color A to add texture without changing the charted colorwork.

If you prefer less shaping, skip the waist decreases for a straighter, boxier silhouette that is very cozy and relaxed.

For a more fitted look, increase the frequency of waist decreases and try a shorter body length before beginning the finishing chart.

I sometimes add small embroidered details over the colorwork after blocking to personalize the yoke with initials or tiny motifs.

Consider adding elbow patches in a contrasting color for a functional and stylish twist that also hides wear.

If you want a cropped style, work fewer increases toward the hips and stop earlier before starting the finishing chart to reduce length.

I also like to change the ribbing depth; work a 3 cm rib for a subtle edge or 6 cm for a longer, cozy hem depending on desired styling.

For a different neckline, try binding off and picking up for a shallow V or a slightly wider boat neck, adjusting stitch counts evenly across the front and back.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not checking your gauge before starting; always knit a swatch in the colorwork pattern to match 22 sts = 10 cm to ensure proper fit. ✗ Skipping the placement of BOR and stitch markers at the beginning of rounds; place a marker to avoid losing track of the start and to keep increases and decreases aligned. ✗ Failing to pick up extra underarm stitches when joining sleeves; pick up the extra stitch at the join to avoid holes and ensure a neat underarm. ✗ Ignoring the instruction to switch needle sizes for the yoke and ribbing; changing to the recommended needles gives correct fabric density and measurements. ✗ Overstuffing or uneven blocking after finishing; block gently and evenly to shape the sweater and avoid stretching the colorwork motifs.

Embla's Mom Sweater Pattern

This classic top-down sweater features a forest-inspired colorwork yoke and a subtly shaped back for a flattering fit. You will enjoy working the charted fair isle yoke and finishing with neat ribbing and clean edges. The pattern includes full stitch counts, charts, and clear instructions for body and sleeves across multiple sizes.

Intermediate 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Embla's Mom Sweater Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    DK or sport weight yarn in 3 colors
  • 02
    Color A (main body) approx.: 650 (700) 750 (800) 900 (950) 1000 meters / 711 (766) 820 (875) 984 (1039) 1094 yards
  • 03
    Color B (contrast) approx.: 170 (200) 230 (260) 290 (320) 350 meters / 186 (219) 252 (284) 317 (350) 383 yards
  • 04
    Color C (detail) approx.: 125 (150) 175 (200) 240 (280) 320 meters / 137 (164) 192 (219) 263 (306) 350 yards

— Tools Required

  • 01
    3 mm / US 2.5 circular needles (40 cm / 16 inches) and DPNs
  • 02
    3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles (40, 60, 80 cm) / 16, 24, 32 inches circular needles and DPNs
  • 03
    Stitch markers
  • 04
    Stitch holders
  • 05
    Scrap yarn
  • 06
    Tapestry/yarn needle for weaving in ends
  • 07
    Scissors
  • 08
    Measuring tape
  • 09
    Blocking tools (pins, mats) optional

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Neck :

Info :

With 3 mm / US 2.5 ndl, cast on 92 (100) 108 (116) 124 (132) 140 sts loosely using Color B. Join to knit in the rnd and PM at the BOR.

Next Rnd :

[K2, p2] to end. Repeat the previous rnd until work measures approx 3 cm / 1.25 inches.

— Yoke :

Info :

Switch to 3.5 mm / US 4 ndl.

Next Rnd :

K to end. Begin working from Main Chart and inc as instructed.

Info :

From row 30 of Main Chart and onwards you should have a total of 276 (300) 324 (348) 372 (396) 420 sts on your ndl.

Info :

Continue working from Main Chart until the yoke measures approx. 20 (20) 21 (22) 23 (24) 25 cm / 7.75 (7.75) 8.25 (8.75) 9 (9.5) 9.75 inches or until the yoke reaches the desired depth.

— Dividing for Body and Sleeves :

Dividing for Body and Sleeves :

Next Rnd: Transfer 60 (64) 68 (72) 76 (80) 84 sts onto a stitch holder, CO 4 sts, place BOR M, CO 4 sts, k78 (86) 94 (102) 110 (118) 126 sts and then transfer 60 (64) 68 (72) 76 (80) 84 sts onto another stitch holder, CO 4 sts, PM, CO 4 sts, k to end of rnd.

Info :

You should now have a total of 172 (188) 204 (220) 236 (252) 268 sts on your ndl for the body of the garment.

Info :

The pattern continues on the next page.

— Body :

Info :

Begin working the body in the rnd. If Main Chart has not been completed, finish it. Switch to using only Color A upon completion of Main Chart.

Waist Shaping (Optional) :

All shaping is done only to the Back of the garment. The Back refers to the first half of sts counting from the BOR marker. Shaping the garment is completely optional, and can be skipped. For a clear hourglass figure, dec and inc more frequently.

Info :

Work the following Dec Rnd every 3 cm / 1.25 inches, for a total of 6 (6) 5 (6) 6 (6) 6 times.

Dec Rnd :

K1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before next M, ssk, k to end. - 2 sts dec'd

Info :

You should have 160 (176) 194 (208) 224 (240) 256 sts on your ndl.

Info :

Finish decreasing when the body measures approx. 20 (21) 21 (22) 22 (23) 23 cm / 7.75 (8.25) 8.25 (8.75) 8.75 (9) 9 inches from the underarm or when the garment reaches the narrowest part of your waist.

Info :

It is now time to inc towards the hips of the garment. Work the following Inc Rnd every 2 (2) 2 (2) 1.5 (1.5) 1.5 cm / 0.75 (0.75) 0.75 (0.75) 0.5 (0.5) 0.5 inches, for a total of 7 (7) 7 (9) 9 (9) 9 times.

Inc Rnd :

K1, m1L, k to 1 st before next M, m1R, k to end.

Info :

You should now have a total of 174 (190) 208 (226) 242 (258) 274 sts on your ndl.

Info :

When your work measures 34 (35) 35 (36) 36 (37) 37 cm / 13.5 (13.75) 13.75 (14.25) 14.25 (14.5) 14.5 inches from the underarm, or when approx 9 cm / 3.5 inches shorter than your preferred length. Begin working from Finishing Chart.

Info :

After completing Finishing Chart, switch to 3 mm / US 2.5 ndl and work 2x2 rib, ie., k2, p2, in the rnd in Color B until the ribbing measures 5 cm / 2 inches.

Info :

Bind off all sts in pattern.

Infos :

Approx = approximately. k = knit. p = purl. rnd = round. st(s) = stitch(es). ndl = needle. inc = increase. dec = decrease. m = marker(s). PM = Place marker. BOR = Beginning of Round. k2tog = Knit 2 together. ssk = Slip, slip, knit. Slip the first stitch knitwise, slip the second stitch purlwise, return both stitches to the left hand needle, knit the two stitches together through the back loop. M1R = make one right, lift up yarn between sts from behind with left ndl. Knit into front of st. M1L = make one left, lift up yarn between sts from the front with left ndl. Knit into back of st. CO = Cast on / Cast-on.

— Sleeves :

Info :

Join yarns needed for the remainder of Main Chart or Color A if Main Chart is already completed.

Next Rnd :

Starting in the middle of one of the underarm COs, pick up (do not knit) 4 sts from the underarm CO, pick up an extra st where the underarm CO sts meet the on-hold sts to avoid holes, transfer the 60 (64) 68 (72) 76 (80) 84 sleeve sts that were put on hold back onto your ndl, pick up an extra st to avoid holes, pick up 4 sts along the underarm CO. PM to mark BOR.

Info :

You should now have a total of 70 (74) 78 (82) 86 (90) 94 sts on your ndl.

Info :

Work in stockinette st in the rnd and complete Main Chart if necessary.

Info :

Work the following Dec Rnd every 2 cm / 0.75 inches as you progress, a total of 13 (13) 15 (15) 17 (17) 19 times.

Dec Rnd :

K2tog, k to 2 sts before end, ssk. - 2 sts dec'd

Info :

You should now have a total of 44 (48) 48 (52) 52 (56) 56 sts on your ndl.

Info :

Continue working in stockinette st until the sleeve measures approx 37 (38) 38 (39) 39 (40) 41 cm / 14.5 (15) 15 (15.25) 15.25 (15.75) 16.25 inches from the underarm or when the sleeve is approx 9 cm / 3.5 inches shorter than your preferred length.

Info :

Start working Finishing Chart.

Info :

Upon completion of Finishing Chart, switch to 3 mm / US 2.5 ndl and work 2x2 rib, ie., k2, p2, in the rnd in Color B until the ribbing measures 5 cm / 2 inches or to your preferred length.

Info :

Bind off all sts in pattern. Make the second sleeve in the same manner.

Info :

Weave in all ends and sew any gaps around the underarm shut if necessary.

Assembly Instructions

  • Weave in all ends neatly using a yarn needle and block the sweater to measurements according to the gauge.
  • Make the second sleeve in the same manner and sew any small gaps around the underarm shut with matching yarn for a neat join.
  • When picking up underarm stitches, pick up the extra stitches indicated to avoid holes and sew the underarm joins flat if necessary.
  • After ribbing and bind-off, seam or secure any loose rounds and press/block the yoke so the colorwork lies flat.

Important Notes

  • 💡Check gauge before starting: 22 sts = 10 cm / 4 inches in the colorwork pattern for correct sizing.
  • 💡Use stitch markers to mark the BOR and any shaping markers to keep increases and decreases aligned.
  • 💡Pick up extra stitches at underarm joins to avoid holes and transfer sleeve sts carefully from holders.

This sweater combines classic Nordic colorwork with a flattering top-down shape for everyday wear. The pattern includes full charts, stitch counts, and finishing instructions so you can knit with confidence. Make it in natural tones for a timeless look or bright shades for a modern twist. 🧶✨

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The pattern includes multiple sizes; garment chest circumferences range approximately from 78 cm up to 121 cm depending on the chosen size. Check the specific size selection at the start of the pattern and ensure you match gauge for accurate fit.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

The pattern is written for DK or sport weight yarn. Using a different yarn weight will affect gauge and finished size, so adjust needle size and knit a gauge swatch to match the stated stitch gauge before proceeding.

Do I need prior knitting experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate due to stranded colorwork (chart reading) and shaping. Familiarity with knitting in the round, colorwork, increases (M1L/M1R), and decreases (k2tog, ssk) is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most knitters complete this sweater in about 12-15 hours, though time may vary depending on experience, size, and whether you choose to complete optional shaping.